Virgil Allen Burris Jr., 91, of Hershey, passed away March 23, 2023 at home. He was born June 25, 1931 to Virgil and LaVone (Reid) Burris Sr. in Fayette, IA.
Virgil grew up in Bradgate, IA where he attended school. He enlisted in the United States Air Force at age 19. After returning home, he married his high school sweetheart, Janice Naeve in Fairmont, MN. They lived in Bradgate and raised five children, Denise, Paul, Douglas, Michelle, and Wayne. They moved to Nebraska when Virgil took a job with Coca-Cola. He was a jack of all trades and was self-taught in everything he did.
Virgil’s hobbies included hunting (favorite was deer), fishing, gardening (especially tomatoes), bread making, mushroom hunting (grew his own mushrooms), bird watching (loved purple Martins), and flying. He always had a project going on, with his most recent project being grafting trees. Virgil raised quail and made his own incubator.
Preceding him in death were parents, Virgil and LaVone; brothers, John Burris and Robert “Bob” Burris; sister Karen Zeman.
Survivors include his wife, Janice Burris; children, Denise (Jerry) Peters, Paul (Pam) Burris, Douglas Burris, Michelle Thomas, Wayne (Jennifer) Burris; grandchildren, William Cran, Jonathan Cran, Derek Burris, DeAnna Maxwell, Chad Burris, Andy Burris, Jeremy Thomas, Daniel Thomas, Mason Willard, Noah Burris; numerous great grandchildren, other family members and friends.
Memorials are suggested to Hershey Senior Center. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Friday, March 31, 2023 at Methodist Church in Hershey with Pastors Wade Hudson and Mark Baldwin officiating. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be held noon-7:00 P.M., with family present 5:00-7:00, Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.